Great Neighborhoods To Celebrate Fourth Of July

One thing that Colorado does best is it's Fourth of July celebration and 2012 is already shaping up to be one of its best!  Here in Highlands Ranch we usually just gather at town center and check out the great fireworks display.  This is great fun for people of all ages just remember to take some chairs or a huge towel to sit on to watch the festivities.  After all that fun we head back to our neighborhood and gather with all the other neighbors to shoot off our own fireworks.  But this isn't just a Highlands Ranch thing this happens all over Denver so have fun be safe and happy Fourth to all of you.

Where Everyone Will Be June 8th 2012 in Highlands Ranch

One of our favorite events to do as a family in Highlands Ranch is Culture on the Green. It's very cool because it's set outside on Civic Green Park, families from around the area get together to listen to great cultural bands. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner for an evening under the stars because admission is FREE. This year there is going to be a Caribbean band Pan Jumbies led by an acclaimed steel pan artist!  The band plays everything from calypso, reggae, ska, jazz and more.  Whether you come to listen, to dance, or just for the Island Vibes this Caribbean Band has something for all ages.  June 8th from 6:30-8 PM

Pictures posted are from Culture on the Green 2011, that was an amazing show!!!! Don't miss this year

 

 

Best of Both Worlds at Highlands Ranch Music & Art Festival

One of the advantages of living in Highlands Ranch are the cool art festivals and various concerts around town.  Well this event has both, this Saturday and Sunday come enjoy a day at the park at the 7th annual Highlands Ranch Music & Arts Festival.  Presented by the Highlands Ranch Concert Band and Swing Shift, the band's jazz group, the festival features two days of music in a variety of genres.  My family last year brought a picnic and set up on the lawn and enjoyed a beautiful day of jazz in the park.  Bands like Too Many Trombones, The Rootin Tootin Dixieland Band, The Denver Concert Band, and The Highlands Ranch Concer Band and Swing Shift.  There are also local artists and crafters selling there stuff and food as well.  The festivities will be Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM & Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM at:
Civic Green Park
9370 Ridgeling Blvd,
Highlands Ranch 80129

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Summer in backcountry highlighted by wilderness camps

Another year of school over no it's time to get ready for all the summer activities going on around the Ranch.  For the kids that live around Highlands Ranch they have a 8200 Sq Ft backyard called the "Back Country"  From hayrides to nature hikes, day camps, trail rides, and tons of special events such as the cattle branding coming up on May 12th, the back country has something for everyone, even adult.  Feel like doing some horseback riding, turkey hunting, or maybe you may become lucky enough to win the elk hunt lottery, the back country offering are not for kids only.  Don't miss the wine by campfire happening later on in August this is a fun event that we have been to.  But what is new and exclusive for kids ages 9-13 this summer are the week-long, full day Wilderness Adventures camps that the HRCA is partnering up with The Wildlife experience on June 18 and running through Aug3, the camps will start off every morning in a different location in the back country and shift back to The Wildlife Experience for the afternoon.  The camp ill include archery lessons, ecology, animal tracking, survival lessons, hayrides, horseback riding, and tons of guest speakers. " What happens in a late afternoon thunderstorm?" you ask, at that time kids will be entertained with 3-d movies, scientific experiments and live animal encounters.  The camps which are open to are being offered for $265/week for residents and $345/week for non-residents. 

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Taste of Highlands Ranch May 4th

In it's 17 year, this year the Taste of Highlands Ranch will not only benefit the palates of all those who choose to attend, but the American Cancer Society as well.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event's silent auction and a percentage of the ticket sales will go directly to the American Cancer Society.  As for vendors as we've seen year to year it doesn't get much better then the "taste"  Last year when we went they had over 100 different types of wines and a bunch of microbreweries as well.   It's a great way to sample a variety of cocktails as well as different restaurants from around the Ranch. Not only will there be restaurants from Highlands Ranch bu this tear a few from the Tech Center will be there as well!  Expect there to be over 25+ restaurants with all types of food being served.  This event will be 6 PM-9PM at the Eastridge Recreation Center and will be for people 21 and up.  Tickets purchased before May 4th will be $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents.  At the door tickets will be $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents.  Pre-Sale tickets will be available at all Highlands Ranch Rec Centers

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Highlands Ranch Farmers Market Coming Back To Town Center May 6th

Since moving to Highlands Ranch 4 years ago one of our favorite things to do is buy fresh produce and food at the farmers market.  The most amazing part is this farmers market grows every year with more attendee's and different farmers.  This will be the seventh year for the farmers market and street fair and it will mark it's return on May 6th this Sunday and run almost all the way through fall (Oct 28th).  It's not just fruits and vegetables anymore the street fair brings lots of other components like bakeries and artwork.  With the new additions we are seeing thousands of people flock to Highlands Ranch every Sunday with people coming here from Grand Junction to Ft Morgan.  You can find everything from homemade jewlery to fresh flowers to healthy Colorado-grown food, the market is open from 10 AM-2 PM each Sunday at 9288 Dorchester St in Town Center.  Vendors will change through out the summer so log onto HRCA.com for updated details.

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Drought Declared For Denver Metro

HI all you Highland Ranchers out there if you have heard the news we are now in a stage one in a drought all over the Denver Metro Area. What does this mean for us home owners and future home owners?

This means that voluntary water restrictions shall go in effect immediately! Don't fret because your nice KentuckY Bluegrass lawn won't go brown if you follow these rules.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS OFFICIALS ARE ASKING YOU TO DO:

• Please water only two days a week and don't water if we get rain
• Try and only water areas that need it the most. if there is grass in a shady are that won't need as much water as the one in direct sunlight
• Water in the early mornings or early evenings to avoid evaporation, watering too late at night may cause mold so be careful
  
• Don't forget your sprinkler system is adjustable it has settings for different parts of the season. If you don't know how to adjust these refer to your owner manual.  Don't just set it and forget it that'll waste tons of water!!!!!
• Water less than two minutes

MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS GO IN AFFECT MAY 1ST: HERE ARE SOME OF THOSE RESTRICTIONS

• No watering your lawn between 10 A.M.-6 P.M.Don't water more than three days a week (you can pick and choose the days you want)
  
• Don't waste water by letting it pool in gutters, alleys, and streets
• Don't waste water by letting it hit concrete or asphault
• Repair all leaky or faulty sprinklers within 10 days
• Do not water during days it will rain or high winds